The White Swan (Part Eight)
He was the Head Gamemaker. She was a tribute meant to die.
Love isn’t forbidden in the Hunger Games — it’s fatal.
Iris wakes up with a start from a nightmare.
It is yet another nightmare about the arena, where Kyle was brutally murdered. The moment she left him continues to haunt her.
Slowly, she sits up in the bed in the bedroom that Coriolanus has given her. The bed is soft, but too big. It is so big that she feels like she is drowning in the mattress and blankets when she lies in it. The blankets are light pink and the pillows are the same color. It feels perfect, as if it belongs in a shop window.
As she lies in bed, she thinks back to the ground she slept on in the arena. Cold, full of paper, and occasionally a rat running by. The rest of her bedroom is just as perfect as the bed.
All the colors match beautifully and everything seems to have been carefully chosen. She has been here for over four days now, and every day a maid comes to clean her room.
Not that she makes a lot of mess; most of the time she lies in bed staring at the ceiling.
While the maid is cleaning her room, Iris goes to the living room. She lies down on the couch and looks out the window. There is no lock on her bedroom door, which Iris noticed immediately. Coriolanus had told her that she could go anywhere in the penthouse, but Iris didn't know that he meant that for himself as well.
She didn't feel unsafe, but it felt a little wrong.
The lack of a lock made her feel powerless even in her “own” room. Coriolanus was in control; he hadn't put a lock on her door because he said it was better for her. Because he thought so.
The door to her bedroom opens and Coriolanus walks in.
Iris noticed that he has been very busy with work the past few days. Coriolanus spends a large part of the day in his office. Iris often hears him on the phone, and it often ends in a lot of shouting. She doesn't want to eavesdrop on him, but she couldn't help herself when she heard her own name.
The conversation was about various invitations to Capitol parties she had received and the upcoming interview with Lucky Flickerman.
Iris can't imagine how she's supposed to drag herself to parties or pretend that everything is okay with her. Right now, she is anything but okay.
“I thought you might be thirsty.”
Coriolanus is holding a tray and walks over to the bed. He places the tray on her nightstand and Iris spots a teacup.
“It's chamomile tea, it will calm you down.”
Coriolanus explains and hands her the cup. Iris isn't thirsty at all, but she takes a small sip anyway.
The boiling hot water flows down her throat and she closes her eyes for a moment in pleasure.
She says simply and places the cup back on the tray. She wonders when she has to leave the penthouse to meet the people from the Capitol.
It's not as if the penthouse feels completely familiar, but anything is better than anywhere else in the Capitol.
Coriolanus looks at her, his eyes warm but sharp.
“When do I have to give the interview? When do I have to go to those parties?”
The thoughts make her restless and she starts playing with her fingers. Coriolanus doesn't know what to say for a moment and there is silence. A maid walks into the room, but Coriolanus waves her out before she can start cleaning up.
The maid quickly leaves the room and then it's just the two of them again.
“Nothing is expected of you yet, we'll take our time,”
he replies, trying to reassure her by stroking her arm.
Iris feels a shiver run through her body, but she can't explain exactly why. Coriolanus has taken her to his penthouse, and she should be grateful for that. If he hadn't, she would still be in the hospital room with people constantly walking in and out.
But still, it doesn't feel quite right; she feels trapped instead of free. Iris nods and picks up the cup of tea again to take another sip.
“I have to go back to work soon, so unfortunately I can't stay, sweetheart. But what do you want to do today?”
Sweetheart, she's starting to hate that word more and more.
At first, she used to get butterflies in her stomach when he called her that, but now the word almost makes her itch. Iris doesn't know when everything changed, but she sees everything in a different light now.
“I think I'd like to read, maybe.”
Iris says softly and thinks back to home.
At home, they had few books. Not because they were too poor to buy books, but because there were hardly any books for sale on the market. Her mother always did her best to get books from somewhere, but most of the time Iris had to reread the books she had. Sometimes Iris borrowed a book from school, but the queues were so long that Iris had to return the book within a few days.
“That's fine, I'll get you a book from the library.”
Coriolanus tells her and gets up from the bed to start right away.
Yes, there is a library in Coriolanus Snow's penthouse.
Iris saw the library for a second when she walked past it once, and even at a glance she could see how impressive it was. Large bookcases that reached the ceiling were filled with books, more than she had seen in her entire life.
Iris whispers as he walks out of the room, so softly that he probably didn't even hear her.
Everything feels emptier now that he has left the room.
She feels restless and gets up from her bed to walk around her room. Iris knows that Coriolanus would never hurt her; he is kind and caring. But that doesn't make her life any easier, it only makes it more complicated.
Coriolanus is away for a meeting he had to attend in person. Before he left, he kissed her on the forehead and said:
“Don't worry, no one can get in. There are guards at the door and if anything happens, there are maids who can help you.”
The maids often came into her room to ask if Iris needed anything. Iris usually sent them away immediately and longed for a lock on her door to keep them out. After pacing around her room for hours, Iris had had enough of the space and quietly crept into the hallway.
Now she tiptoes through the penthouse, looking for something to give her a little excitement.
The past few days had been boring, and she wants to find something to make her heart beat a little faster. At the end of the hallway, she opens a large, heavy wooden door.
She doesn't know exactly what's behind the door, but she soon discovers that it's Coriolanus's office.
She rummages around a bit, looks in the various bookcases, and examines the large assortment of drinks in a certain cabinet. She doesn't dare take anything; she's almost certain Coriolanus would notice.
He hasn't specifically forbidden her from entering his office, yet it feels like forbidden territory.
Iris sinks into the large leather chair and runs her hands over the desk. Several stacks of paper tower up, and an empty coffee cup still sits on the desk. She opens one of the drawers and rummages through pens, tape, and a stapler. She doesn't expect to find anything exciting, but soon she finds something special.
A photo, hidden under pens and paper, as if it were never meant to be found.
Carefully, she takes the photo out of the drawer and places it on the desk to inspect it.
It is a photo of Coriolanus when he was younger, next to him is a girl Iris does not recognize. Her skin is tanned, her eyes are large, and her curly hair falls over her shoulder. The two are standing close together, their bodies touching in several places. Iris can see immediately that this is not just a friendship.
She turns the photo over to look at the back. Her eyes widen when she reads the text written on it.
“My dear Lucy, my sweetheart.”
My sweetheart, that's what Coriolanus always calls her.
Iris gets a shiver down her spine when she recognizes the girl's name.
There are rumors about her; Lucy is said to have won the 10th edition of the Hunger Games and then mysteriously disappeared. In that year, the tributes had mentors from the Capitol Academy, who were students in their final year of training. No one knew exactly who Lucy Gray Baird's mentor was, but the story goes that Lucy had to escape from him. Now the story becomes clear and Iris knows for sure.
Coriolanus Snow was Lucy Gray’s mentor.
She was his sweetheart, and he had saved her from the Hunger Games so that she would remain so.
Now Lucy Gray Baird was missing, and no one had ever heard from her again.
Some people say she fled outside Panem, others say she was killed by someone who couldn't let her go. Iris feels sick when she realizes that history is repeating itself.
Now Iris was Coriolanus' sweetheart, and he wouldn't let her go, just as he didn't want to let Lucy go.
Just like with Lucy, he helped her win the Hunger Games so he could have her all to himself. Iris continues to hold the photo, the paper cold beneath her fingers. Her world begins to spin, her heart starts beating faster, and her breathing quickens.
Coriolanus didn't hide this photo for no reason, and he never intended for Iris to find it.
“My dear Lucy, my sweetheart.”
Keep repeating in her head like a song that is slowly driving her crazy. In the photo, the two look so in love with each other, how could it end like this?
Iris feels her stomach churn. Coriolanus says exactly the same thing to her. She is his sweetheart and he will always protect her.
But protect her from what? From all the other people in the Capitol?
Fear creeps up on her when she thinks about the fact that no one has ever seen Lucy Gray Baird again and Coriolanus is now one of the most powerful people in all of Panem.
Slowly, she puts the photo back in the drawer and hides it under the pens and paper. Coriolanus must not know she found this; after all, his office feels like a private space. What would he do if Iris betrayed his trust?
For the first time, it is clear that Coriolanus is not the man she thought he was.
Yes, he had helped her get out of the Hunger Games, and she should be grateful for that. But Coriolanus also had a dark side, a side she was now beginning to see more and more of.
Iris wants to get out of here as quickly as possible and hurries to the office door. But just as she is about to open it, it opens. It is Coriolanus.
“Iris, what are you doing here?”
His voice sounds colder than usual, but at first glance he doesn't seem angry. That doesn't necessarily make the situation any easier.
The photo of Coriolanus and Lucy flashes before her eyes and her hands slowly begin to tremble. She quickly hides her hands behind her back and tries to pretend everything is normal.
“I was just looking around,”
she says, trying to control her voice. She looks at the floor to avoid his gaze.
“I thought it was clear that you weren't allowed to come here,”
Coriolanus sighs and places one hand on her cheek.
“Some things are not meant for you.”
He continues and lowers his hand again. Iris feels relieved when he stops touching her.
“I'm sorry, I didn't think it would hurt.”
Iris feels her heart pounding in her chest and hopes he doesn't notice. She looks at him and his eyes are stern and hard.
“This office is private. I don't want to find you here without my permission. Do you understand?”
Coriolanus sounds like a father lecturing his child. Iris wonders if he was like this with Lucy too. My dear Lucy, my sweetheart. Iris nods, knowing it's not wise to ask him about Lucy now.
She has already betrayed his trust enough.
“I want you to understand that I want what's best for you.”
Coriolanus continues and walks away from her. He goes to the desk and runs his fingers across the desktop.
Iris lies, her voice soft, and his eyes shoot up when she says that. Iris doesn't feel at all that he wants what's best for her; he only wants what's best for himself.
A small smile appears on Coriolanus' face and for a moment Iris doesn't see his dark side. He seems like the Coriolanus who had kissed her when she was so afraid to go to the arena.
For a moment, he was the Coriolanus Iris had fallen a little bit in love with.
Coriolanus runs his fingers over the photo he has hidden in his desk. It is the only thing he has left of Lucy Gray Baird.
He would prefer to destroy everything related to her and forget her completely, but something inside him prevents him from throwing the photo away. He is still furious that she betrayed him after everything he did for her.
He let her win the Hunger Games, risked his entire life for her, and this is how she thanks him? But maybe it's better this way, at least now he has Iris. And he won't let Iris leave like he let Lucy leave.
No, now she is his sweetheart.
Coriolanus can no longer ignore it: the people want to see Iris Sierra Vale.
The White Swan remains the topic of the day, and his advisors have been complaining for days that it is taking too long. Coriolanus was tired of the complaints, so he finally gave his permission.
Tonight, Iris Sierra Vale will be attending a big Capitol party.
The whole Capitol loves her; they are fascinated by her beauty and her strength. He told her last night, during dinner. She didn't like it and said she wasn't ready.
“I don't think I can do that yet.”
Iris tried to convince him otherwise, but Coriolanus knew it had to be done.
“Sweetheart, if I could have stopped this, I would have. But it's just part of the job. I promise you, I'll be with you.”
He had said to her as he kissed her cheek.
And yes, he would be with her.
He would be with her all evening and not let her out of his sight, not among the people of the Capitol. The Capitol was a dangerous place, people were unpredictable and often only thought of themselves. Iris had to stay with him so he could protect her.
He had called Elira right away, since the winner of the Hunger Games had to wear the best clothes.
“She'll look like a phoenix, Snow. It will be the dress of the year.”
Elira had said enthusiastically on the phone.
And she kept her promise, delivering a new dress for Iris to wear tonight, and once again it is beautiful.
The dress has a heart-shaped neckline that exposes her collarbones. Her waist is tightly cinched by a corset with gold and orange feathers sewn into it. Each feather resembles a phoenix feather, and when Iris moves quickly, it looks as if she is catching fire.
The skirt consists of several layers, first tight around her hips, then flaring out into an asymmetrical train that resembles a tail of flames. The bottom of the dress is darker and resembles smoke, as if she is floating like a phoenix.
Various beads were sewn onto the dress, making them sparkle in the light.
Iris would not look like a simple girl from District Four who happened to win the Hunger Games. No, she would become a goddess who had changed her own destiny.
Coriolanus keeps staring at the dress and feels proud.
Iris is his girl, and he will guide her as he once wanted to guide Lucy. But this time, he would not let her escape.
No, Iris is his girl, and she will stay with him.
Coriolanus stands in his tailor-made dark suit in the hallway outside her bedroom, waiting for her to come out.
The maids have taken good care of Iris.
Her makeup is done, subtle but powerful. Light gold eyeshadow makes her blue eyes shine, red lips as if she has stepped out of a myth. Her hair is pinned up in an intricate bun with braids, ribbon, and pearls.
She looks like the powerful woman she was during the parade and the interview, but Coriolanus sees the tension in her whole body.
He would prefer to keep her in his penthouse and not let her go to the party, but it had to be done. His gaze slides over her and he smiles at her beauty.
“Darling, you are breathtaking.”
He whispers and takes her hand in his.
She says softly and gives him a small smile, but he can't quite tell if it's sincere or not.
It doesn't matter to Coriolanus, sincere or not, she's staying with him all evening.
Iris hooks her arm through his and together they walk out of the penthouse. The same driver is waiting for them downstairs and Coriolanus helps Iris get into the car with her dress.
It's difficult, but after a while she manages.
The car drives silently through the streets of the Capitol, on its way to the big party where everyone is waiting for them. Once again, Coriolanus notices that Iris has her gaze fixed entirely on the world outside the car.
There are few people on the streets at this time of night; most are indoors or at the big party.
Coriolanus repeats and takes her hand. When Iris doesn't really respond to him, he continues:
“Everyone will be talking about you tonight.”
Iris snaps, and Coriolanus doesn't understand where this is coming from. He squeezes her hand to warn her that she has to behave tonight.
“Because everyone loves you.”
Coriolanus interjects and taps his foot impatiently on the car carpet. Tonight has to go perfectly.
“They don't even know me.”
Iris sighs and leans her head against the car window.
Coriolanus is about to tell her not to do that because it will ruin her makeup, but she sits up straight again.
“They don't have to know you to love you.”
Coriolanus says and pulls her close.
They sit in silence for a while as the car brings them closer and closer to the party. The party will be all about the winner of the Hunger Games, and Coriolanus, as head gamemaker, will have to introduce Iris to everyone.
Not that he minds, because that way he can stay close to her.
“What if I just want to disappear?”
Iris asks suddenly, and Coriolanus clenches his jaw, not knowing what to say.
“What if I want to go back to the sea, my mother, and District Four?”
She continues, and Coriolanus kisses her knuckles to stop her.
“You don't really want that.”
He tells her and rubs her hand gently, as if that could make her doubts disappear. Then he continues:
“You only think you want that, but you belong here. You belong here in the Capitol as a winner, with me.”
The car stops in front of a large building where hundreds of people are waiting outside and dozens of photographers are standing in front of the red carpet, ready to take pictures.
Security guards in uniforms keep the crowd at a distance, and one of them opens the car door. Coriolanus steps out first and the crowd erupts.
The people of Capitol love him, especially for his good work as head playmaker. He raises a hand in greeting and then smoothes his suit. Coriolanus turns back and extends his hand to Iris to help her out of the car.
The dress is immense, but she manages to get out of the car gracefully. The crowd cheers even louder now that they see the White Swan in person.
“The White Swan is here!”
Someone in the audience shouts. Cameras click and Coriolanus knows that they will probably be on the front page of the newspaper the next morning.
He whispers in Iris's ear and places a hand on her lower back. He escorts her across the red carpet, but does not stop there for photos.
Once inside, it is a little less chaotic than outside. The cheering of the crowd subsides and there are also far fewer photographers present.
The hall is beautifully decorated, crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, large flower arrangements have been placed around the room, and a large golden fountain stands in the middle of the hall. The fountain does not spray water, but a shiny golden liquid.
Coriolanus hears Iris next to him hold her breath, as if she is completely enchanted by the impressive hall. Coriolanus understands; in District Four, they have nothing like this. He senses her hesitation and her body is still tense.
He leans toward her and plants a kiss on her forehead.
“It'll be okay, I'll stay with you.”
He whispers and guides her through the hall with a hand on her lower back.
The attention of the hall is completely focused on them, everyone waiting for the moment when the White Swan comes to them. Coriolanus decides to take her first to a group of his most important advisors.
The advisors pat Coriolanus on the shoulder and greet Iris, but the advisors' wives seem obsessed with her. A woman with long black hair, dressed in a light blue shiny dress, is the first to speak.
“What an honor to see the White Swan in real life!”
she says enthusiastically, touching the fabric of Iris's dress.
Coriolanus doesn't like this and pulls Iris closer to him.
“She's even more beautiful than on television,”
says another woman, who then takes a sip of her champagne.
When Iris doesn't say anything, Coriolanus squeezes her hand. Not only to let her know that she is standing there as his girlfriend, but also to indicate that she should say something.
Iris says softly, then compliments the woman's light blue dress. The women all laugh loudly, and Coriolanus can only smile politely.
“So modest! The perfect winner of the Hunger Games, cheers everyone!”
The woman raises her champagne glass and then drinks it all in one go. Iris smiles politely for a moment before Coriolanus takes her away to introduce her to other people.
After Coriolanus has fetched drinks for both of them, they stand in a corner of the room for a moment. Coriolanus has already introduced Iris to many people and he thinks Iris is ready for a break.
Everyone is enthusiastic about her and enjoys talking to her. The women in particular are fans of hers and talk about how perfect her outfits are, while the men mainly talk to Coriolanus.
“Coriolanus, can we go outside for a moment? I need some fresh air.”
Iris points to a side exit of the room.
“No, dear, we're staying here for a while.”
He tells her and shakes his head. Iris wants to protest, but he squeezes her waist to indicate that he has made up his mind.
She doesn't have much time to react, because a man is approaching them.
“Head playmaker Snow, how good to see you. And of course, the White Swan.”
The man bows slightly to her and Coriolanus has to try hard not to roll his eyes.
“Mr. Snow, your speech starts in five minutes,”
The man tells him, and Coriolanus immediately sees Iris looking at him questioningly.
Yes, he hadn't told Iris about the speech. He hadn't really forgotten, but he didn't think it was that important. Coriolanus nods and the man walks away again.
Iris asks when the man has left. Iris finally spots the stage that has been set up in the hall.
Coriolanus sees that the crowd is starting to move towards the center of the hall and he knows he has to go on stage soon.
“Yes, just a short speech.”
Coriolanus replies casually as he pays attention to his suit. He smooths out a crease in his pants and straightens his jacket.
“Why didn't you say so, Coriolanus?”
Iris asks him, looking at the people walking through the hall.
“Because I don't think it's important. You don't have to do anything, I'll do the talking. Just stay here, and everything will be fine. I have to go, sweetheart.”
Coriolanus kisses her on the forehead before walking to the stage to give his speech. He doesn't want to leave Iris behind, but duty calls.
In a few minutes, he will return to her, and tonight he may apologize for not telling her about this.
As Coriolanus makes his way through the crowd to the stage, he feels all eyes on him.
The conversations stop, the room gradually falls silent, and everyone follows him as he steps onto the stage. He is used to it; as the head playmaker, you are famous in the Capitol.
The spotlights are focused on him as he takes the microphone from someone.
“Dear friends from the Capitol,”
Coriolanus begins, looking around the room.
He sees many familiar faces, such as Vellum Orestes, and even Elira Vux is apparently present in the room.
“Today we celebrate the 21st edition of the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are a reminder to the districts that the Capitol is in power, thus maintaining peace throughout Panem. Once again this year, it was an honor to design the arena as head gamemaker. And honestly, I think the arena turned out pretty well.”
Coriolanus jokes, and the audience laughs and applauds softly.
Coriolanus lets his gaze wander over the audience again until he sees his girl.
“Tonight, we are not only celebrating the 21st Hunger Games, we are also celebrating the winner. This year, it may not be the strongest tribute, but it is a tribute we have already taken into our hearts. Iris Sierra Vale, the White Swan. She gave us something that is rare in our world: hope.”
Everyone in the room looks at Iris, who resembles a phoenix in her dress.
Coriolanus feels incredibly proud of her and himself. They survived, now they can be together.
“When people have hope, they can change things. Now that the White Swan has given us hope, we can change Panem. The Capitol will become even stronger, we will continue to rule over the districts. And all because of the winner of the 21st Hunger Games. Ladies and gentlemen, this is not the end. It is only the beginning for the beautiful Capitol. Long live Panem.”
Coriolanus raises the champagne glass he has just been given and the rest of the room follows his example.
Many people then down their champagne, but Coriolanus only takes a small sip. He wants to look at Iris again and searches for her where she was standing.
But she is no longer there; the White Swan has disappeared.
